Gaitskell, Hugh Todd Naylor

Gaitskell, Hugh Todd Naylor ( 1906 – 63 )
British politician. He entered Parliament in 1945 , holding several government posts dealing with economic affairs ( 1945 – 51 ), including Chancellor of the Exchequer ( 1950 – 51 ). He became leader of the Labour Party ( 1955 – 63 ). He represented the moderate right-wing of his party and believed in the welfare legislation of 1944 – 51 and the need for a balance between private and state finance. Gaitskell was particularly vigorous in his opposition to the government over the Suez War and in resisting the unilateralists within his own party.